Weather alert in place for Eastern North Carolina Thursday morning

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The NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued a weather alert at 5:34 a.m. on Thursday for dense fog until 7:45 a.m. The alert is for Inland Onslow as well as Lenoir and Jones counties.

"Patchy dense fog with visibilities of one quarter miles or less is expected in Lenoir, Jones, and Inland Onslow counties early this morning. If driving, slow down and leave extra distance ahead of you in case a sudden stop is needed. Conditions will improve by 9 a.m.," says the NWS.

This alert is in effect until 7:45 a.m.

Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS

If you need to drive through fog, remember these safety guidelines:

Moderate your speed:

• Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.

Avoid high-beams:

• Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what's ahead of you on the road.

Keep your distance:

• Keep a considerable following distance to account for sudden stops or shifts in traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road's lane markings as a guide.

Zero visibility protocol:

• In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business's parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.

No parking options:

• If no designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service

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